Topline
The White House said in a letter to Congressional leaders including Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) the U.S. is “out of money” and “nearly out of time” to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, risking Ukraine’s gains and Russia’s advance, while Republicans demand additional border funding in exchange for passing Ukraine aid.
In a letter to Congress, the White House said “there is no magical pot of funding available” to … [+] provide weapons and equipment for Ukraine. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Key Facts
Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young wrote that the U.S. will run out of resources to provide weapons and equipment for Ukraine by the end of the year without congressional action.
Cutting off support “will kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield,” Young warned in the letter, adding that U.S. security assistance packages are “smaller” and aid deliveries are “limited” now.
So far, the U.S. has provided $111 billion in supplemental funding to support Ukraine, and as of mid-November, the Department of Defense has used 97% of the $62.3 billion it has received for Ukraine, and the State Department has used all of the $4.7 billion in military assistance it has received for Ukraine, Young wrote.
Approximately $27.2 billion of the $111 billion has been used for economic assistance and civilian security assistance to Ukraine, Young said, adding if the Ukrainian economy collapses, “they will not be able to keep fighting, full stop.”
Helping Ukraine’s defense and security against Russia “prevents larger conflict in the region that could involve NATO and put U.S. forces in harm’s way and deters future aggression, making us all safer,” Young said.
President Joe Biden is seeking $61.4 billion in aid for Ukraine as part of a $105 billion package that also includes funding for Israel, Taiwan, U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific and border agents and facilities on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Key Background
Johnson said last week he is “confident and optimistic” Congress will pass additional aid for Israel and Ukraine before the end of the year, despite a hold up from House Republicans demanding additional Ukraine aid be tied to anti-immigration policies at the U.S.-Mexico border. Republicans are demanding new asylum restrictions, continued construction of a border wall and more border patrol agents. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told senators last Sunday he plans to bring the Biden administration’s supplemental aid package for a vote as soon as this week. Earlier this month, the House passed a $14.3 billion aid package for Israel, but it faced opposition from leaders in both parties for proposed cuts to IRS funding through the Inflation Reduction Act to fund the bill, and for not including aid to Ukraine.
Further Reading
Speaker Johnson ‘Confident’ Israel And Ukraine Aid Passes Before 2024—But Hard-Right Has Demands (Forbes)
Biden Asks Congress For $105 Billion In Emergency Funding For Israel, Ukraine (Forbes)
